SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Police say a two-and-a-half-month-old boy was attacked at around 11:41 a.m. Sunday by his family's dog. The boy was airlifted to William Beaumont Hospital after being taken to the Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc Township.
The boy died at Beaumont Hospital.
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"This is a tragic incident and it is a sad reminder to keep animals away from small children and babies no matter what the circumstances may be," said Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard. "Animal behavior, whether intended as playful or territorial, can have devastating impact on small children."
At the time of the incident the infant's 18-year-old uncle was holding him on the couch. The dog tried to jump on the couch but was pushed off. Shortly after, the dog jumped back up on the coach and attacked the boy's head and throat area.
The 26-year-old father pried the dog's jaws open to free his son, but also sustained injuries during the attack.
The dog is a three-and-a-half-year-old female Catahoula cattle hound breed. The family has owned the dog for over two years.
Several months ago the dog bit a neighbor but didn't draw blood.
The dog is in the custody of Oakland County Animal Control and will be put to sleep.